System and method for cooling and promoting physical activity of poultry

ABSTRACT

A poultry house sprinkler system comprises a temperature sensor for obtaining a temperature value based on a temperature of a poultry house, a controller in communication with the temperature sensor, an input/output module in communication with the controller, a valve in communication with the input/output module and connected to the fluid source for receiving a fluid, and at least one sprinkler nozzle connected to the valve for receiving the fluid from the valve and distributing the fluid in the poultry house when the valve is in an open position. The controller is configured to receive the temperature value from the temperature sensor, compare the temperature value to a threshold value, and instruct the input/out module to set the valve in the open position when the temperature value is above the threshold value, maintain the valve in the open position for a cooling interval duration, and subsequently set the valve in a closed position at the end of the cooling interval duration.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/751238, filed Jun. 26, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/704885, filed Feb. 12, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No.9069362, and entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COOLING AND PROMOTINGPHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF POULTRY, the entire contents of both of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

FIELD

The invention relates to sprinkler systems, and in particular, tomethods and systems for controlling sprinkler systems in poultry houses.

INTRODUCTION

Poultry such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese are a popular foodresource. Majority of poultry are raised using various farmingtechniques, which include free-range as well as intensive farming. Apoultry house provides shelter to the poultry during the growth cycle ofthe poultry. The growth cycle of poultry may differ based on the speciesof the poultry being farmed. For example, the growth cycle of broilerchicken typically ranges from one-day-old chicks at growth day one tomaturity in about six weeks when they are harvested.

Poultry raised in poultry houses lead a generally sedentary lifestylebeing in a seated position throughout most of the day. This sedentarylifestyle involves very little physical activity and may not bedesirable for growth and/or health reasons.

A controlled amount of physical activity at certain stages in the growthcycle is desirable because the physical activity is conducive to thegrowth of the poultry. On the other hand, an excessive amount ofphysical activity is undesirable because it may inhibit growth.

Temperature control in a poultry house is also necessary to preventmortality of the poultry from excessive ambient temperature. It isdesirable to maintain the ambient temperature in the poultry house belowa specific threshold.

Accordingly, there is a need for systems and methods for controllingsprinklers in poultry houses, which addresses at least some of the aboveconcerns.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided asprinkler controller in a poultry house comprising a processor, a datastorage device operatively connected to the processor, the data storagedevice having instructions for programming the processor, and aninput/output module operatively connected to the processor.

The input/output module is configured to communicate with at least onevalve for controlling a flow of fluid between a fluid source and atleast one sprinkler nozzle. The at least one valve has an open positionpermitting the flow of fluid, and a closed position inhibiting the flowof fluid, the position of the valve being determined by the processor.

The processor is programmed to set the valve in the open position at astart of an activity promotion interval, and to set the valve in theclosed position at the end of the activity promotion interval, aduration of the activity promotion interval being selected such that asufficient amount of fluid is dispersed through the sprinkler nozzle topromote physical activity in the poultry, the start of the activitypromotion interval being predetermined based on a frequency of operationparameter indicative of a number of activity promotion intervals in atime period, and a value for the frequency of operation parameter beingselected to promote growth of the poultry.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided amethod for promoting activity in poultry in a poultry house. The methodcomprises electronically setting a valve in an open position to permitfluid to flow through the valve at a start of an activity promotioninterval. The valve controls a flow of fluid between a fluid source andat least one sprinkler nozzle directed at the poultry. The method alsocomprises waiting for a predetermined duration of the activity interval.The duration is selected such that a sufficient amount of fluid isdispersed through the sprinkler nozzle at the poultry to promotephysical activity in the poultry without over soaking the poultry house.The method also comprises electronically setting the valve to a closedposition to inhibit fluid from flow through the valve at the end of theactivity promotion interval to prevent an excessive amount of fluid frombeing dispersed into the poultry house. The start of the activitypromotion interval is predetermined based on a frequency of operationparameter indicative of a number of activity promotion intervals in atime period. The value for the frequency of operation parameter isselected to promote growth of the poultry.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided asprinkler system for a poultry house having at least one sprinklernozzle directed at the poultry, a fluid source connected to the at leastone sprinkler nozzle, at least one electronically controlled valveconnected to the fluid source and the sprinkler nozzle for controllingthe flow of fluid. The at least one valve has an open positionpermitting the flow of fluid, and a closed position inhibiting the flowof fluid. The sprinkler system also includes a controller comprising aprocessor and a data storage device operatively connected to theprocessor. The data storage device has instructions to program theprocessor. The sprinkler system also includes an input/output moduleoperatively connected to the processor. The input/output module isconfigured to communicate with the at least one valve to set theposition of the valve.

The processor in the controller is programmed to set the valve in theopen position at a start of an activity promotion interval, and to setthe valve in the closed position at the end of the activity promotioninterval. The duration of the activity promotion interval being is suchthat a sufficient amount of fluid is dispersed through the sprinklernozzle to promote physical activity in the poultry. The start of theactivity promotion interval is predetermined based on a frequency ofoperation parameter indicative of a number of activity promotionintervals in a time period. A value for the frequency of operationparameter is selected to promote growth of the poultry.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided anon-transitory physical computer-readable storage medium upon which aplurality of instructions are stored, the instructions for performingoperations comprising electronically setting a valve in an open positionto permit fluid to flow through the valve at a start of an activitypromotion interval. The valve controlling a flow of fluid between afluid source and at least one sprinkler nozzle directed at the poultry.The operations also include waiting for a predetermined duration of theactivity interval, the duration being selected such that a sufficientamount of fluid is dispersed through the sprinkler nozzle at the poultryto promote physical activity in the poultry without over soaking thepoultry house. The operations also include electronically setting thevalve to a closed position to inhibit fluid from flow through the valveat the end of the activity promotion interval to prevent an excessiveamount of fluid from being dispersed into the poultry house. The startof the activity promotion interval is predetermined based on a frequencyof operation parameter indicative of a number of activity promotionintervals in a time period. The value for the frequency of operationparameter being selected to promote growth of the poultry.

DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the embodiments described herein and toshow more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference willnow be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings whichshow at least one exemplary embodiment, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating some components of a systemfor promoting activity in poultry according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system for promoting activity inpoultry shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the controller shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a front of the controller shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating the factors that may affect frequencyand/or duration of activity promotion interval performed by thecontroller shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the steps of a method forpromoting activity in poultry according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 7 a block diagram illustrating the steps of a method for promotingactivity in poultry according to another embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

It will be appreciated that numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodimentsdescribed herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not toobscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this descriptionis not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodimentsdescribed herein in any way, but rather as merely describing theimplementation of the various embodiments described herein.

The embodiments of the systems and methods described herein may beimplemented in hardware or software, or a combination of both. However,preferably, these embodiments are implemented in computer programsexecuting on programmable computers each comprising at least oneprocessor, a data storage system (including volatile and non-volatilememory and/or other storage elements), at least one input device, and atleast one output device. For example and without limitation, theprogrammable computers may be a programmable electronic controller,mainframe computer, server, personal computer, laptop, personal dataassistant, or cellular telephone. Program code is applied to input datato perform the functions described herein and generate outputinformation. The output information is applied to one or more outputdevices, in known fashion.

Each program may be implemented in a high level procedural or objectoriented programming and/or scripting language to communicate with acomputer system. However, the programs can be implemented in assembly ormachine language, if desired. In any case, the language may be acompiled or interpreted language. Each such computer program ispreferably stored on a storage media or a device (e.g. read only memory(ROM) or magnetic diskette) readable by a general or special purposeprogrammable computer, for configuring and operating the computer whenthe storage media or device is read by the computer to perform theprocedures described herein. The inventive system may also be consideredto be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium, configured witha computer program, where the storage medium so configured causes acomputer to operate in a specific and predefined manner to perform thefunctions described herein.

Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated therein are some components of a system10 for promoting activity in poultry according to one embodiment of theinvention, shown installed in an exemplary poultry house 12. The poultryhouse 12 is shown housing two chickens 14 and 15, each representative ofa multiplicity of chickens. The poultry house 12 is intended forillustrative purposes only. In commercial embodiments, the poultry house12 may be of other shapes and sizes as known to one skilled in the art,providing shelter to thousands of birds. The commercial poultry housesmay also feature artificial lighting conditions to stimulate growth. Thepoultry houses may also have water delivery system for providingdrinking water. In the current embodiment, the poultry house 12 has awater trough 16 as shown. The floor of a poultry house may be covered inlitter such as wood shavings, straw or rice hulls.

The poultry house 12 has installed two sprinkler nozzles 32 and 36directed at the chickens 14 and 15 respectively. While the nozzles 32and 36 are illustrated to be located at the ceiling of the poultry house12, they may be placed elsewhere as long as the output from the nozzlesare directed at the poultry. The head of the nozzles are configured toproduce micro droplets of water such that a desired amount of water maybe sprayed into the barn over a time period. This prevents over soakingthe poultry as well as the floor of the barn, which may be covered inlitter. As shown in FIG. 1, the sprinkler nozzles 32 and 36, whenactivated, spray a fine mist of water at the chickens 14 and 15. Thechickens 14 and 15 react to the spray of water by standing up from theresting position and moving. The chickens 14 and 15 may be prompted tomove towards the water trough 16 to have a drink of water from the watertrough as indicated.

Referring to FIG. 2, illustrated therein is a block diagram showingvarious components of the system 10. The system 10 comprises a watersource 20, connected to a master valve 22, a pump 24, a flow meter 26, amanifold 28, an inlet 29, zone valves 30 and 34, and the nozzles 32 and36. The system 10 also comprises a controller 50 operatively connectedto the master valve 22, zone valves 30 and 34, the flow meter 26. Thecontroller 50 is also operatively connected to an alarm 48, atemperature sensor 46, an output device 44 and an input device 42.

The water source 20 is connected to the pump 24. The water source 20provides water to the system 10, and may be linked to the municipalwater system or any other source of water that may be available to thepoultry house 12. In other embodiments, the water source may providewater with additives and/or any other type of fluid.

The pump 24 is used to provide additional water pressure. In otherembodiments, if there is sufficient water pressure, it may not benecessary to use a pump to provide additional water pressure. The pump24 may be a GJPS2A115-PKG pump manufactured by Grundfos. In otherembodiments, other suitable means of increasing the water pressure mayalso be used.

The master valve 22 is connected to the pump 24 as shown. The mastervalve 22 controls the flow of the water from the water source 20 to thenozzles 32 and 36. The master valve 22 has an open position and a closedposition. In the open position, the master valve 22 permits the waterfrom the water source 20 to flow through. In the closed position, theflow of water through the valve is inhibited. The master valve 22, whichis in addition to zone valves 30 and 34, serves as an added layer ofcontrol for limiting flow of water.

The master valve 22 may be an electronically controlled valve such as asolenoid valve. For example, the master valve 22 may be a ¾ inch ACinline glove valve with 24 VAC solenoid model #33-001 manufactured byBermad Waterworks. The master valve 22 may also be another type ofelectronically controlled fluid control devices, such as a pneumaticvalve. In other embodiments, the master valve 22 may be ahand-controlled valve that is not connected to the controller 50.

The master valve 22 is connected to the flow meter 26. The flow meter 26provides a measurement of the volume of water that has been used by thesystem. This measurement may be used for monitoring purposes todetermine total water usage of the system. The measurement may also beused to determine when to set one or more valves in the closed positionas described herein below. In other embodiments, the flow meter 26 maynot be used.

The flow meter 26 is connected to the manifold 28. The manifold 28facilitates the water from the single water source 20 to flow to aplurality of valves. As shown, the manifold 28 is connected to the zonevalve 1 and zone valve 2 as indicated by numerals 30 and 34respectively. The zone valves 30 and 34 may be electronically controlledvalves such as the master valve 22 or the like. In other embodiments,there may be a different number of zone valves. The manifold 28 may alsobe connected to the inlet 29 as shown. The inlet 29 allows additives tobe added to the water for various purposes such as cleaning thesprinkler lines, pre-soaking the litter with cleaning agent, otherlitter treatments, manure pit treatments, and odor control.

The zone valve 30 is connected to the nozzle 32. As shown in FIG. 1,nozzle 32 is directed at the chicken 14 such that when the system 10 isactivated, water from the water source 20 is sprayed at the chicken 14through the nozzle 32. Similarly, the zone valve 34 is connected to thenozzle 36, which is directed at the chicken 15.

As shown, each of the valves 30 and 34 is connected to a single nozzle32 and 36 respectively. In other embodiments, it is possible connectmultiple nozzles to each valve, with each valve defining a zone ofoperation. By organizing the nozzles in zones, it is possible to controloperation of multiple nozzles in each zone. The number of nozzles in azone may be limited by the amount of available water pressure as thewater pressure at each nozzle is inversely related to an increase in thenumber of nozzles connected to each valve. In other embodiments, it mayalso be possible to use multizone valves instead of having multiplevalves.

Each of the nozzles 32 and 36, for example, may be a spinner assemblycomprising a model AT77-930212 spinner, a AT77-930509 nozzle, aAT77-930100 bridge, and a AT77093120 leak prevention device manufacturedby Dan Sprinklers. In other embodiments, the nozzles 32 may be othertypes of nozzles. For example, nozzles manufactured by DIG Corporationor Netafim may be used. Nozzles may be selected to permit customizationof sprinkler drops to avoid obstacles such as heaters, tunnel curtains,circulation fans, feed hoppers, and lights by sprinkling over or underthe obstacles.

In other embodiments, the system 10 may also include sprinklerdeflectors to avoid sprinkling unwanted areas such as circulation fans,feed hoppers, electrical boxes, etc. The sprinkler system may alsoinclude sprinkler plugs to keep an area temporarily free of sprinkling.

The system 10 comprises a controller 50 which is connected variouscomponents of the system 10. The controller 50 is connected to themaster valve 22, the zone valve 30, and the zone valve 34. Thecontroller 50 may be wired to the valves such that electrical signalsmay be received at the valve, and interpreted to control the operationof the valve by either setting the valves in the open position or theclosed position. The controller 50 is wired to each valve such that itis possible to control the operation of each valve individually. Thecontroller 50 is also connected to the flow meter 26 for obtainingmeasurements from the flow meter 26.

Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated therein is a block diagram of thecontroller 50 according to one embodiment. The controller 50 comprisesat least one data storage device 54 operatively connected to at leastone processor 56. The data storage device 54 may store instructions forprogramming the processor 56. The data storage device 54 may also storeconfiguration settings for the controller 50.

In some embodiments, there may be more than one data storage device 54.The data storage device 54 may be volatile or non-volatile computermemory. If there are more than one data storage devices, the datastorage devices may be different types of memory. For example, the typeof memory for storing instructions to program the processor 56 may bedifferent from the type of memory for storing configuration settings ofthe controller 50.

The controller 50 includes an input/output module 58 operativelyconnected to the processor 56. The input/output module 58 facilitatescommunications between the processor 56 and the components of the system10 that the controller 50 is connected to. The input/output module 58may also facilitates communication between a user of the system and thecontroller 50. In the embodiment as shown, the input/output module 58 isconnected to the master valve 22, the zone valves 30 and 34, the alarm48, the flow meter 26, the temperature sensor 46, the input device 42and the output device 44.

The input/output module 58 may be a single unit or a combination ofmultiple different units. The input/output module 58 may comprise adigital to analog converter, and/or an analog to digital converterdepending on the component that it is connected to. For example, theinput/output module 58 may include a digital to analog converter toconnect to the master valve 22, and the zone valves 30 and 34 such thatthe digital instructions to change the state of the valves between theopen and close positions may be communicated to the valves through anelectrical wire by varying the current or the voltage.

The controller 50 may include a housing 52 for housing one or morecomponents of the controller 50. The housing 52 may be manufactured fromplastic, metal or any other suitable material. The housing 52 insulatesvarious components of the controller 50 from potentially harmfulelements in the environment such as dust and moisture. In the embodimentas shown, the housing 52 houses a memory 54, a processor 56, and aninput/output module 58. In other embodiments, another combination of thecomponents of the controller 50 may be found outside the housing 52. Inother embodiments, a housing may not be used at all. In otherembodiments, some of the components may be integrally formed with thehousing 52. The housing 52 is configured permit wires or otherconnectors to access the input/output module 58.

Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrated therein is a top view of anexemplary housing 52 according to one embodiment of the invention. Thehousing 52, in this embodiment, has input device 42 in the form ofbuttons 42 a-42 d integrated to the housing. These buttons may be usedto provide user input to the controller 50. The user input may be usedto determine settings for the controller 50 such as the duration of theactivity promotion interval, the start time of the activity promotioninterval, and/or the frequency of the activity promotion interval. Theexemplary housing 52 also has output devices 44 in the form of a LCDdisplay 44 a and a LED display 44 b. The LCD display 44 a indicates whatthe numerical value displayed in the LED display 44 b represent. Asshown the number “12:00” represents the time (12:00 am) in a 24 hrformat. Other parameters may be viewed by using the “List” buttons 42 aand 42 b to toggle through a list of available parameters. Some of theparameters may be adjusted by using the “Set” buttons 42 c and 42 d.

The processor 56 may be a programmable microprocessor. For example, themicroprocessor may be a Core 100 Model X1255 microprocessor. Theprocessor 56 controls the operation of the valves 22, 30 and 34connected to the controller 50 by providing control signals through theinput/output module 58 to each of the valves 22, 30, and 34 to indicatewhether the valves should be in the open position or the closedposition. Each of the valves 22, 30, and 34 may be controlledindividually. To permit flow of water from the water source 20 to thepoultry 14 and 15, the master valve 22 and at least one of the zonevalves 30 and 34 must be in the open position.

The processor 56 is programmed to set the valves in an open position ata start of an activity promotion interval, and to set the valve to theclosed position at the end the activity promotion interval. The activitypromotion interval starts when the valves are set in the open positionsuch that a sufficient amount of fluid is dispersed through thesprinkler nozzles 32 and/or 36 at the poultry to promote physicalactivity in the poultry. The valves are then set in the closed positionat the end of the activity promotion interval before an excessive amountof fluid is dispersed into the poultry house 12.

The poultry naturally prefer to remain in a seated state. Being in aseated position for long periods may result in an uneven distribution ofheat in the poultry as the area between the poultry and the floor tendsto be warmer than the rest of the poultry. It is desirable to alleviatethe uneven distribution of heat in the poultry by encouraging thepoultry not to be in the seated position periodically to permit the heattrapped between the poultry and the floor poultry house to escape.

When a sufficient amount of fluid is dispersed at the poultry, thepoultry is prompted to get up and move towards the watering trough 16 toconsume water. Increased water consumption may be beneficial to thehealth of the poultry. Prompting the poultry to get up and move towardsthe watering trough 16 also promotes physical activity in the poultry.That is, the system may be used to exercise the poultry, and the act ofexercising may be beneficial to the health of the poultry. In someembodiments, the sprinkler system may be used to promote waterconsumption by the poultry. The poultry also release heat trappedbetween the poultry and the floor, which cools the poultry as thepoultry get up from their resting position.

In addition, dispersing fluid into the poultry house may also inhibitthe dust levels within the poultry house. This may reduce chance ofbacterial infection in the respiratory track of the poultry in thepoultry house.

Referring to FIG. 5, illustrated therein is a table 70 listing at leastsome of the factors that may affect the duration and/or the frequency ofthe activity promotion interval. The duration of the activity promotioninterval is selected such that a sufficient amount of water is dispersedfor activity promotion without over-watering the poultry house 12. Thestart of each activity promotion interval is predetermined based on afrequency of operation parameter indicative of the number of times theactivity promotion interval is ran in a given period of time. Forexample, the activity promotion interval may occur 10 times in a given10-hour window. In that case, the start time may be evenly distributedby dividing the given period of time with the number times the activitypromotion interval is being ran, which results in the activity promotioninterval being ran once every hour. In other examples, the start timemay not be evenly distributed.

A value for the frequency of operation parameter is selected to promotethe rate of growth of the poultry. The rate of growth may be affected bya number of different factors. For example, to promote growth of thepoultry, it may not be desirable to run the activity interval when theage of the flock of poultry is below a certain growth day. Accordingly,the frequency of operation value may be selected based on the age of thepoultry being housed.

The value of the frequency of operation may differ based on purposes forwhich the poultry is being raised. For broiler chickens, the activitypromotion frequency value may be set at 10 times a day after thechickens are 21 days old, and the activity promotion interval not run(i.e. frequency set to 0) when the chickens are younger than 21 days.For breeding chickens and breeding turkeys, the frequency value may beset at 10 times a day after these chickens and turkeys are 12 weeks old,and the activity promotion interval not run prior to that age.

The value of the frequency of operation may differ based on differenttypes of poultry to promote growth of different types of poultry. Forexample, the value for the frequency of operation for turkeys may bedifferent from that for chickens. The sex of the poultry may also affectthe duration of the activity promotion interval.

Depending on different factors, the value of the frequency of operationmay range from 0 times a day to 20 times a day. Typically, the value ofthe frequency of operation ranges from 0 times a day if the poultry isyounger than a certain age, and 10 times a day once the poultry is olderthan the selected age as described above. In other embodiments, thefrequency of operation may occur for a different range.

The start time of the activity promotion interval may also bepredetermined based on time of day. For example, it may be undesirableto disturb resting poultry at nighttime by activating the sprinklers. Assuch, the start time of the activity promotion interval may be limitedto daylight hours. For example, the start time may be between 6:00 inthe morning to 19:00 hr in the evening in some areas. It is alsopossible that the frequency of operation may vary based on the currenttime of a day. For example, the frequency of operation may increasebetween 6:00-9:00 hr and 16:00-19:00 hr to promote more physicalactivity during the early morning and later evening.

As stated above, the duration between the start and the end of theactivity promotion interval is selected so as to promote physicalactivity in the poultry without dispersing an excessive amount of waterinto the poultry house 12. It is possible that if only a small amount ofwater is sprayed at the poultry, the poultry may not be stand up andmove around. On the other hand, if too much water is sprayed at thepoultry, it will accumulate at the floor of the poultry house 12, whichis undesirable. Accordingly, it is desirable to select an appropriateduration of the activity promotion interval such that the amount ofwater dispersed is sufficient to promote physical activity withoutover-watering the poultry house 12.

The duration of the activity promotion interval may be selected based onthe type of poultry being housed to promote physical activity in thepoultry. For example, the duration may be 20 seconds for chickens,ducks, and geese, and the duration may be 30 seconds for turkeys. Thesex of the poultry may also affect the duration of the activitypromotion interval. The duration of the activity promotion interval mayrange from 15 seconds to 45 seconds depending on the type of the poultrybeing housed.

In addition to operating activity promotion intervals, the processor 56may be further programmed to set the valve in an open position at astart of a cooling interval, and set the valve to the closed position atan end the cooling interval for the purpose of cooling the poultry house12. During the cooling interval, a sufficient amount of fluid isdispersed through the sprinkler nozzle to reduce the temperature withinthe poultry house 12. As stated before, this may cause the poultry tostand-up, which releases heat that is trapped between the poultry andthe floor. The droplets of fluid on the birds combined with rapid airmovement will also help to lower the bird's body temperature. The startof the cooling interval is determined based on the temperature value ofthe poultry house 12, which is obtained through the temperature sensor46.

The duration of the cooling interval may differ based on the temperatureof the poultry house 12. For example, the duration of the coolinginterval may be 20 seconds if the temperature is between 80-84 degreesFahrenheit, 40 seconds for 85-89 degrees Fahrenheit, and 60 seconds ifis over 89 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In other embodiments, the duration ofthe cooling interval may be constant. The frequency of the coolinginterval may be increased depending on the temperature of the poultryhouse 12. For example, the frequency of the cooling interval may be onceevery 30 minutes for temperatures between 80-84 degrees, once every 15min for 85-89 degrees, and once every 5 min if the temperature is over89 degrees Fahrenheit. In cases of extreme heat stress, the frequency ofoperation of the cooling mode may be as much as 192 times in a 24 hourperiod.

The processor 56 may be operating both cooling and activity promotionintervals. It is possible that if both intervals are run in closesuccession, too much water may be dispersed into the poultry house 12.To prevent the activity promotion interval and cooling interval fromrunning in short succession, a shared countdown timer may be used.

In one embodiment, the processor 56 may be programmed to start theactivity promotion interval based on a count down timer. For example,the timer value may be initially set at 60 minutes. The timer will thencount down, and when the value reaches “0”, the processor 56 will startthe activity promotion interval. The timer will then be reinitialized to60 minutes at the end of the activity promotion interval, therebyproviding a 60-minute wait before the activity promotion interval startsagain. That is, the activity promotion interval is ran every hour. Inother examples, the value of the timer may be different based on thefrequency of the activity promotion interval. To prevent an activitypromotion interval from starting to soon after a cooling interval, theprocessor 56 may be further programmed to reset the timer after acooling interval, such that the activity promotion interval may notoperate for the time remaining in the timer before starting anotheractivity promotion interval.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the system 10 may also include an alarm 48,which may be connected to the controller 50 as shown. The alarm 48 mayprovide an audible sound, or provide some other way of alerting a userof the system. The alarm may be based on the measurement provided by theflow meter.

The controller 50 is also connected to the flow meter 26. Theinformation from the flow meter 26 may be used by the controller 50 toprevent dispersing more than a desired amount of water. The flow meter26 may be used to provide a measurement of the total amount of fluidthat has flowed through the fluid counter over a period of time, whichcan be used for water usage monitoring purposes. An exemplary flow meter26 that may be used is 73WM055 ¾ water meter with pulse made by Arad.This information can be provided to the controller 50 through the I/Omodule 58. The processor 56 may be programmed to use this information toprovide an additional check as not to disperse undesired amount of waterat the poultry house 12. For example, the processor 56 may be programmedto set the valve in the closed position if the measurement from thefluid counter reaches a specified value. In other embodiments, avolumetric valve may also be attached to the system to provide a limitfor the water expelled through the nozzles in cases of system or humanerror. For example, Bermad Waterworks 0-2600 gallon volumetric valve maybe used.

Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrated therein is a method 100 forpromoting physical activity of poultry in a poultry house according toone embodiment of the invention. The method 100 may be performed by acontroller such as the controller 50 described above.

The method 100 begins at step 102. At step 102 the method 100electronically sets a valve in an open position to permit fluid to flowthrough the valve at a start of an activity promotion interval. Thevalve is connected to the fluid source and at least one sprinkler nozzledirected at the poultry. The valve controls a flow of fluid between afluid source and the at least one sprinkler nozzle.

In some embodiments, there may be more than one valve. The valve used bythe method 100 may be the valve 22, 30 or 34 as described above, orsimilar valves. In other embodiments the valve used by the method 100may be different from the valves 22, 30, and 34. The sprinkler nozzleconnected to the valve in the method 100 may be similar to the sprinklernozzles 32, and 36 described above, or the like. In other embodiments,the sprinkler nozzle used by the method 100 may be different from thenozzles 32 and 36. The fluid source in the method 100 may be a watersource similar to the water source 20 described above or the like. Inother embodiments, the fluid source in the method 100 may be differentfrom the water source 20.

The start of the activity promotion interval may be determined by thefrequency of operation parameter indicative of a number of activitypromotion intervals in a time period. The value for the frequency ofoperation parameter is selected to promote growth of the poultry. Insome embodiments, selecting the frequency of operation parameter for themethod 100 may be similar to selecting the frequency of operationparameter for the controller 50 as described above. That is, the valuefor the frequency of operation may differ based on a number of differentfactors, such as the factors illustrated in the table 70. For example,the value of frequency of operation may be selected based on the age ofthe poultry being housed. The value of the frequency of operation mayalso be selected based on different types of poultry to promote growthof the different types of poultry. The value of the frequency ofoperation may also differ based on desired weight of the poultry at theend of the growth cycle. The start time of the activity promotioninterval may also be determined based on time of day, or the purposesfor which the poultry is being raised.

The method 100 then proceeds to step 104. At step 104, the method 100waits for the duration of the activity promotion interval. At this time,a sufficient amount of water is dispersed through the sprinkler nozzleat the poultry to promote physical activity in the poultry. After themethod sets the valve in the open position, it waits for the duration ofthe activity promotion interval such that a sufficient amount of wateris dispersed for activity promotion without over-watering the poultryhouse. This duration is selected to promote physical activity inpoultry. In some embodiments, the duration of the physical activitypromotion interval may be similar to the duration between the start andthe end of the activity promotion interval that the processor incontroller 50 is programmed to perform as described above. The durationof the activity promotion interval may also be affected by the factorsillustrated in table 70.

The method 100 then proceeds to step 106. At step 106, the method 106electronically sets the valve in a closed position to inhibit flow offluid between the water source and the at least one sprinkler nozzle atthe end of the activity promotion interval.

In addition to the activity promotion mode, the method 100 may also beoperating in a cooling mode. If the method 100 is also operating in acooling mode, the method 100 proceeds to step 108. At step 108, themethod 100 obtains a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor.The temperature measurement is indicative of the temperature of thepoultry house. The method proceeds to step 110.

At step 110, the method 100 determines whether the temperature value ofobtained in step 108 exceeds at least one predefined threshold. Forexample, the predefined threshold may be 80, 84 or 89 degreesFahrenheit. If it is determined that the temperature exceeds the atleast one predefined threshold, the method 100 proceeds to step 110. Ifit is determined that the temperature does not exceed the predefinedthreshold, the method 100 ends at step 112.

At step 114, the method 100 electronically sets the valve in the openposition at a start of a cooling interval. In some embodiments, thecooling interval performed by the method 100 may be similar to thecooling interval that the processor 56 in the controller 50 isprogrammed to perform as described above.

At step 116, the method 100 waits for a predetermined duration of thecooling interval. As stated above, the duration and/or the frequency ofthe cooling interval may differ based on the temperature of the poultryhouse.

At step 118, the method 100 sets the valve to the closed position at anend the cooling interval to prevent an excessive amount of fluid frombeing dispersed into the poultry house. As such, the method 100 balancesbetween dispensing sufficient amount of water through the sprinklers tocool the poultry and the poultry house without over-soaking the poultryhouse.

Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrated therein is a method 150 forpromoting activity in a poultry house according to another embodiment ofthe invention. The method 100 begins at step 152.

At step 152, the method 100 initializes a countdown timer based on afrequency of operation value for the activity promotion interval. Forexample, the countdown timer may be set to 60 minutes if the frequencyof operation value is once every hour. The frequency of operation may beaffected by various factors such as the type of poultry, the age of thepoultry, the purpose of the poultry, as described above. The method 150proceeds to step 154

At step 154, the method 100 determines whether the current day is equalto or after the activity promotion interval start day. The activitypromotion start day is the age of the poultry after which the activitypromotion mode operates. The start day of the activity promotioninterval may depend on the type of poultry being housed, and the purposefor it is housed. For example, for broiler chickens the activitypromotion starts operation after the chickens are 21 days old. Inanother example, if the poultry comprise chickens and turkeys used forbreeding, the activity promotion interval starts when the poultry is 12weeks old. If it is after the activity promotion start day, the method150 proceeds to step 164. Alternatively, the method 150 proceeds to step156.

At step 156 the method 150 determines whether the current time is withinoperational time of day activity promotion interval. That is, the method150 determines whether the current time is at the time of day whenactivity promotion interval may operate. For example, this could bebetween 06:00 hr-16:00 hr. If the current time is not within the dailyactivity promotion interval operation time, the method 150 proceeds tostep 164. Alternatively, the method 150 proceeds to step 158.

At step 158, the method 150 determines if the value of the countdowntimer is 0. If the value of the count down timer is not 0, the method150 proceeds to step 164. Alternatively, the method 150 proceeds to step160.

At step 160, the method 150 operates the activity promotion interval.That is, the method 150 electronically sets a valve in an open positionto permit fluid to flow through the valve at a start of an activitypromotion interval. The valve controls a flow of fluid between a fluidsource and at least one sprinkler nozzle directed at the poultry.

In some embodiments, there may be more than one valve. The valve used bythe method 150 may be the master valve 22, zone valves 30 and 34 asdescribed above or similar valves. In other embodiments the valve usedby the method 150 may be different from the valves 22, 30, and 34.

The sprinkler nozzle connected to the valve in the method 150 may besimilar to the sprinkler nozzles 32, and 36 described above, or thelike. In other embodiments, the sprinkler nozzle used by the method 150may be different from the nozzles 32 and 36. The fluid source in themethod 150 may be a water source similar to the water source 20described above or the like. In other embodiments, the fluid source inthe method 100 may be different from the water source 20.

The method 150 then waits for a predetermined duration of the activityinterval, the duration being selected such that a sufficient amount offluid is dispersed through the sprinkler nozzle at the poultry topromote physical activity in the poultry without over soaking thepoultry house. In some embodiments the duration of the physical activitypromotion interval may be similar to the duration between the start andthe end of the activity promotion interval that the processor incontroller 50 is programmed to perform in the embodiment as describedabove. The duration of the activity promotion interval may be affectedby the factors illustrated in table 70.

The method then electronically sets the valve to a closed position toinhibit fluid from flow through the valve at the end of the activitypromotion interval to prevent an excessive amount of fluid from beingdispersed into the poultry house. After the activity promotion intervalis ran, the method 150 proceeds to step 162.

At step 162, the method 150 reinitializes the countdown timer based onthe frequency of operation parameter indicative of a number of activitypromotion intervals in a time period. The value for the frequency ofoperation parameter is selected to promote growth of the poultry. Insome embodiments, selecting the frequency of operation parameter for themethod 150 may be similar to selecting the frequency of operationparameter for the controller 50 as described above. That is, the valuefor the frequency of operation may differ based on a number of differentfactors, such as the factors illustrated in the table 70. For example,the value of frequency of operation may be selected based on the age ofthe poultry being housed. The value of the frequency of operation mayalso be selected based on different types of poultry to promote growthof the different types of poultry. The value of the frequency ofoperation may also differ based on desired weight of the poultry at theend of the growth cycle. The start time of the activity promotioninterval may also be determined based on time of day, or the purposesfor which the poultry is being raised.

The method 150 then proceeds to step 164. In some embodiments, themethod 150 may wait for a predetermined amount of time (e.g. 30 minutes)before proceeding to step 164 such that the activity promotion intervaland the cooling interval is not run in close succession.

At step 164, the method 150 determines whether the current day is equalto or after the cooling interval start day. The cooling interval startday is the age of the poultry after which the cooling interval mayoperate. In some embodiments, the cool start day may be set to “0”indicating that the cooling interval may run regardless of the age ofthe poultry. If it is after the cooling interval start day, the method150 proceeds to step 168. Alternatively, the method 150 returns to step154.

At step 168 the method 150 determines whether the current time is withinoperational time of day for cooling interval. That is, the method 150determines whether the current time is at the time of day when coolinginterval may operate. For example, this could be between 06:00 hr-16:00hr. If the current time is not within the daily cooling intervaloperation time, the method 150 returns to step 154. Alternatively, themethod 150 proceeds to step 170.

At step 170, the method 150 determines whether the current temperatureof the poultry house is above a first threshold. The method 150 may usea temperature sensor to obtain the temperature value. For example, thefirst threshold may be 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is notabove the first threshold, the method 150 returns to step 154.Alternatively, the method 150 proceeds to step 172.

At step 172, the method 150 determines whether the current temperatureof the poultry house is above a second threshold. For example, thesecond threshold may be 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is notabove the second threshold, the method 150 proceeds to step 174.Alternatively, the method 150 proceeds to step 176.

At step 174, the method 150 operates the cooling interval. That is, themethod 150 sets the valve in the open position at a start of a coolinginterval such that water from the water source may flow through thevalve to the nozzles to be dispersed into the poultry house. It thenwaits for a predetermined duration of the cooling interval, the durationbeing selected such that a sufficient amount of fluid is dispersedthrough the sprinkler to reduce the temperature within the poultryhouse. It electronically sets the valve to the closed position at an endthe cooling interval to prevent an excessive amount of fluid from beingdispersed into the poultry house. The method 150 then proceeds to step175.

At step 175, the method 150 reinitializes the countdown timer to a firstvalue based on the first temperature threshold. For example, thecountdown timer may be set to 30 minutes. By reinitializing the sharedcountdown timer, the method 150 prevents the sprinklers operating in thecooling interval and activity interval in a close succession. The methodthen proceeds to step 190.

At step 176, the method 150 determines whether the current temperatureof the poultry house is above a third threshold. For example, the thirdthreshold may be 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is not abovethe third threshold, the method 150 proceeds to step 178. Alternatively,the method 150 proceeds to step 182.

At step 178, the method 150 operates another cooling interval. Thiscooling interval may be similar in duration to the cooling interval inmethod step 174. In another embodiment, the cooling interval may be oflonger duration than the cooling interval step 174 since the temperaturethreshold is higher. After the cooling interval is ran, the method 150proceeds to step 180.

At step 180, the method 150 reinitialize the countdown timer to a secondvalue based on the second temperature threshold. For example, thecountdown timer may be set to 15 minutes. In some embodiments, thesecond value may be the same as the first value in step 175. The methodthen proceeds to step 190.

At step 182, the method 150 operates in yet another cooling interval.This cooling interval may be similar in duration to the cooling intervalin method step 174 and/or step 178. In another embodiment, the coolinginterval may be of longer duration than the cooling interval step 174and/or step 178 since the temperature threshold is even higher. Afterthe cooling interval is ran, the method 150 proceeds to step 184.

At step 184, the method 150 reinitialize the countdown timer to a thirdvalue based on the third temperature threshold. For example, thecountdown timer may be set to 5 minutes. In some embodiments, the secondvalue may be the same as the first value in step 175, or the secondvalue in step 180. The method then proceeds to step 190.

At step 190, the method waits until the value of the countdown timer isequal to “0”. Method 150 then returns to step 164.

While the steps of the above methods have been described sequentiallyhereinabove, it should be noted that sequential performance of the stepsmay not need to occur for successful implementation of the method. Aswill be evident to one skilled in the art, rearranging sequence ofperformance of the steps, omitting the performance of some steps, orperforming the steps in parallel may be possible without abandoning theessence of the invention.

While certain features of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, andequivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is,therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spiritof the invention.

1. A poultry house sprinkler system comprising: a) a temperature sensorfor obtaining a temperature value based on a temperature of a poultryhouse; b) a controller in communication with the temperature sensor; c)an input/output module in communication with the controller; d) a valvein communication with the input/output module and connected to the fluidsource for receiving a fluid; and e) at least one sprinkler nozzleconnected to the valve for receiving the fluid from the valve anddistributing the fluid in the poultry house when the valve is in an openposition; wherein the controller is configured to: i) receive thetemperature value from the temperature sensor; ii) compare thetemperature value to a threshold value; iii) instruct the input/outmodule to set the valve in the open position when the temperature valueis above the threshold value, maintain the valve in the open positionfor a cooling interval duration, and subsequently set the valve in aclosed position at the end of the cooling interval duration.
 2. Thepoultry house sprinkler system of claim 1, wherein the cooling intervalduration is selected in order to encourage poultry to become active andrise from a seated position on a floor of the poultry house for a periodof time to allow trapped heat to escape from between the poultry and thefloor of the poultry house.
 3. The poultry house sprinkler system ofclaim 1, wherein the valve is associated with a first zone in thepoultry house, the system further comprising: f) a second valveassociated with a second zone in the poultry house, the second valve incommunication with the input/output module and connected to the fluidsource for receiving the fluid; and g) at least one second sprinklernozzle connected to the second valve; wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to instruct the input/output module to set the second valvein an open position when the temperature value is above the thresholdvalue.